Rockstar Games fires 30 to 40 workers with accusations that GTA 6 studio is union busting

In the past, employees have criticized Rockstar Games for unreasonable demands. Once again, the Grand Theft Auto studio finds itself embroiled in controversy. Bloomberg reports that the company fired 30-40 workers based in the UK and Canada on Thursday, October 30th. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has labeled the dismissals as an act of union busting.

Jason Schreier’s article explains that the Rockstar employees joined a private Discord group. With workers’ rights the focus of the group, some employees were members of the IWGB. Other individuals may have been discussing how to form a union at the studio.

IWGB President Alex Marshall wasted no time issuing a blazing criticism of the firings. Marshall explained, “This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry”. Spokesman Alan Lewis of Take-Two Interactive, which owns Rockstar, then argued that the decision was based on “gross misconduct, and for no other reason”.

The response to the union busting allegations

Gamers are already suspicious that so many workers would commit a fireable offense simultaneously. Unless, of course, they were in fact unionizing against the studio’s wishes. The developer also has a history of allegedly mistreating its employees.

During the development of Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2, employees revolted against 100-hour workweeks. In 2022, with GTA 6 development underway, reports emerged that Rockstar had become less demanding. Still, in 2024, the IWGB complained after the company restricted remote work, requiring employees to return to offices. The studio attempted to boost productivity and control leaks about upcoming projects.

In a turbulent time for the industry, many fans are quick to sympathize with the workers. Still, there have been concerns about another GTA 6 release date delay. Now, some gamers are wondering about how the potential union busting will affect the anticipated title. It’s also possible that the employees had no connection to the project.